Letters

June 19, 2004

Renovating Bennet

Makes Most Sense

Although I am open to new evidence, everything thus far points to the wisdom of renovating Bennet Middle School and making sure that Bennet stays as the site for a middle school. That location is perfect. About 50 percent of the students are able to walk to it.

Are some parts of that complex in poor, unhealthy condition? Yes, but sick buildings can be cured. As people have told me, and it is true, even if we build a new school, we will still, most likely, have to rehab Bennet because we will still own it. Beyond that, why abandon historic buildings in our downtown?

We must be practical. This community has rejected two major school bonding referendums. Soon we may be considered a place that does not value its schools. A reputation of that nature would be disastrous for Manchester and all of us who live here. So the practical reasons to stay at Bennet are as follows:

A proposal to buy land elsewhere and build a new would probably fail.

Restoration at Bennet appeals to Manchester's sense of history.

Rehabbing Bennet appeals to all of us who have a sentimental attachment to Bennet.

Communities with heart and spirit respond to historic preservation. Manchester has a history and Bennet is a big part of that history.

The practical reality is that we can tap into natural groups of the community who will support renovation of Bennet and most likely see a successful referendum result. We will save historic school buildings on land we already own.